ILLUMINATION: Prayers Written at Valima

Recorded by Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) who spent his last years on the Samoan
island of Upolu in the village of Vailima. Stevenson’s wife wrote of her husband,
“With my husband, prayer, the direct appeal, was a necessity. When he was happy he felt impelled to offer thanks; when in sorrow to call for strength to bear what must be borne.”
So he found himself in Vailima where every Samoan household closed the day with prayer and the singing of hymns. The omission of this sacred duty would indicate a shameless
disregard of all that was reputable in Samoan social life ever since the adoption of the Christian faith amongst a fiercely
superstitious people. The Stevenson’s household was possibly the only other white presence on the island apart from the missionaries and Robert
felt compelled to record their adaptation of what he so sincerely believed in. Upon his death his wife had the prayers he had carefully recorded,
designed, written out and illuminated in gilt and colours by the talented calligraphist, Alberto Sangorsky, as a celebration of his beliefs.
Photolithographic Edition of Sangorski's calligraphied and illuminated transcripton on "vellum"
Published Messrs Chatto & Windus, London c.1910
Condition = Good with some some dimpling due to nature of paper.
Approx Size = 20 cm x 26 cm
AUD$55.

RLS1.

Samoan prayer for "SELF BLAME"

RLS2.

"Sunday"

SOLD

RLS3.

"(Giving Thanks)"

SOLD

"Ste. Caecile"

Roman Martyr died AD230, Patron Saint of Music

Original engraving by Elizabeth Cheron (1648-1711)
after the design of Raphael on the cabinet of Mr. De Piles
Cheron was a French noblewoman elected to the Royal Academy.
Engraved by Cheron in 1711 but not printed in Paris until 1760
Size of image & pLatemark = 165mm x 240mm
Condition = Egdes of original laid paper has been damaged and stained but all inside plate mark in good condition
Price=AUD$95

"The Crucifiction

Original copper engraving with printed and hand colouring
Engraved by William French after the painting by Jouvenet
Published London c.1860
Image size = 17.5cm x 24cm
Condition = excellent
Price=AUD$55

The Redeemer

Original copper engraving with printed and hand colouring
Engraved by William French after the painting by C. Dolce
Published London c.1860
Image size = 17.5cm x 24cm
Condition = excellent
Price=AUD$35